Evidence of that was on display in the K.C. locker room a couple of days ago, when the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder darted to his stall to get something and then was gone before reporters could ask for a minute of his time.

Hill was just as elusive on Thursday when interview requests were denied. He’ll speak after the game, we were told. Apparently, Hill was in a hurry to get to a “photo shoot.” Once conspiracy theory is that the Chiefs are keeping him away from the media for fear he might say something to fire up the Colts.

Either way, Kelce was more accommodating.

In last year’s wildcard game against the Tennessee Titans, Kelce had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown before suffering a concussion with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter. The Chiefs took a 21-3 lead into the intermission. Kelce did not return for the second half.

The Chiefs lost 22-21.

Asked if the disappointing way in which the season ended still lingered in his mind, Kelce said no.

“I’ve moved on from last year,” he said. “Learned from it. We’ve got a new team, new identity, moving forward for sure.

“We’re excited to go out there and show everybody what we’ve got,” he added. “Everybody’s kind of … I don’t want to say doubting us, but bringing this (franchise playoff) history thing up and saying what they want about that. But we’re excited to just go out there and be ourselves. Show the world what we can do.”

What Kelce did this season was incredible. First he broke the all-time Chiefs record for most catches by a tight end – previously held by Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, widely considered the best ever at the position – with 103 grabs. Then he shattered Rob Gronkowski’s record for most receiving yards by a tight-end with 1,336.

Kelce also had 10 touchdowns, while Hill complimented his efforts 87 catches for 1,479 yards and 12 TDs.

Tight ends had good success against the Colts this season, catching 106 passes for 1208 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games.

“That means nothing,” said Kelce, a 6-foot-5, 260-pounder. “I’m sure they look at our offence, and they know who’s capable of getting the ball in certain situations, and they’ll be ready for it.”

In his sixth season with the Chiefs, Kelce was asked if this felt like as good a chance as he’s had of going on a deep playoff run.

“Every year you feel like you’ve got a great team,” he said. “I think this year we do have something very special we haven’t had in the past. That’s exciting.”

That something is Mahomes, although Kelce said it was “just the feel of the team. The energy, the confidence. Everything’s kind of built up.”

In another word, Mahomes.

Does Kelce plan on saying something to Mahomes before his 23-year-old quarterback makes his first playoff start?

“There’s nothing you’ve got to say to him,” Kelce said with a smile. “He’ll be ready.”

It helps that he has Kelce and Hill as his primary passing options.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

Pete Grathoff, a columnist with The Kansas City Star, did his best to help fans and bettors looking for advice on which teams will win this weekend’s games. He asked Alexa, Amazon’s (almost) all-knowing home assistant: “First, the Luck of the Colts will run out in Kansas City,” she said. “Next, the Rams will be butting the Cowboys back to Dallas and my broken heart from the Seahawks’ loss with start to mend. On Sunday, the Chargers’ electric momentum is going to shock the Patriots. Finally, as much as I really want the Eagles to win, the Saints will be marching in. Hey Philadelphia, if you’re listening please prove me wrong.” Last year Alexa said the Eagles would upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and we all remember how that turned out.

EXTRA POINTS

It’s still not known whether or not the Chiefs will have the services of guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., product who is attempting a comeback from a leg fracture in Game 5. LDT has practiced with the team all week. “These are day-to-day things,” head coach Andy Reid said of the five-year vet on Thursday. “He practiced and we see how he feels. I’m not going to say anything until I see how it went after this practice.” … Reid was equally non-committal on the status of WR Sammy Watkins (foot) and S Eric Berry (heel), although the latter, at least, is expected to sit. About Watkins, who could be a difference-maker, Reid said he’s “done a nice job” this week. “He’s had good work all three days,” said Reid. “He’s looked pretty good.” … The only Colt ruled out by Reich was WR Ryan Grant (toe).

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